Delta to Retire Last Tristar in ATL Ceremony
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Delta to Retire Last Tristar in ATL Ceremony
I can remember watching N701DA in the Hartsfield pattern for hours checking out the first crews in 1972...
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Delta To Retire Its Last TriStar, Ending An Era For Pilot, Aircraft
By Jim Ott/Special to AviationNow.com
27-Jul-2001 2:29 PM U.S. EDT
Delta Air Lines will retire its last Lockheed L-1011 TriStar in a ceremony Tuesday that will honor a retiring captain, Randall Schmoyer. The retirement ends an era for the pilot, Delta and the TriStar, an aircraft that was well ahead of its time.
The L-1011 was a fraternal twin of the Douglas DC-10, which it followed into service in 1972. Both aircraft were products of late 1960s' aeronautical technology. The trijets looked nearly alike, distinguishable only by the S-shaped duct in the L-1011's tail, compared with the DC-10's straight duct. Two engines were attached to the wings and the third was mounted in the tail.
They were very close in performance except for the TriStar's comparatively short landing capability. It can operate on an 8,000 ft. runway while the DC-10 requires more than 10,000 feet. Rolls-Royce RB211-500 turbofan engines, each rated at 48,000 lb. thrust, power the jumbo trijet.
During the mid-1960s when American Airlines was looking for a high-capacity aircraft to fly between Chicago and Los Angeles, its engineers outlined a two-engine aircraft. However, manufacturers conducted studies that showed a three-engine jet could grow in range and payload and would have superior high-altitude take-off characteristics and a shorter wingspan. Fewer limitations were seen on dispatch in bad weather. The twinjet then became a trijet on the issue of range.
When in a few years airlines began looking for additional range, Lockheed produced the L-1011-500 version, which added nearly 2,000 miles for a range of more than 5,000 miles. The aircraft was introduced in the early 1980s, the first commercial transport to use fly-by-wire technology for the activation of ailerons. But only 50 of the Series 500s were built.
A total of 249 TriStars were produced before Lockheed ended the program in 1983 and departed the commercial transport making business.
Delta's L-1011 fleet has been dwindling for several years and most recently was reduced to eight aircraft. The last TriStar is scheduled to arrive at Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, July 31, as Flight 1949 from Orlando.
A brief ceremony will mark that arrival followed by a farewell celebration at the Delta's hangar. Rolls-Royce and Lockheed Martin officials will make presentations. Delta employees will be asked to sign the exterior of the aircraft before sending it off to retirement in Victorville, Calif. The final flight will carry 300 Delta employees who pledged $23,000 to the United Way for the privilege of flying the last flight.
http://www.aviationnow.com/avnow/new...retire0727.xml
__________________________________________
Delta To Retire Its Last TriStar, Ending An Era For Pilot, Aircraft
By Jim Ott/Special to AviationNow.com
27-Jul-2001 2:29 PM U.S. EDT
Delta Air Lines will retire its last Lockheed L-1011 TriStar in a ceremony Tuesday that will honor a retiring captain, Randall Schmoyer. The retirement ends an era for the pilot, Delta and the TriStar, an aircraft that was well ahead of its time.
The L-1011 was a fraternal twin of the Douglas DC-10, which it followed into service in 1972. Both aircraft were products of late 1960s' aeronautical technology. The trijets looked nearly alike, distinguishable only by the S-shaped duct in the L-1011's tail, compared with the DC-10's straight duct. Two engines were attached to the wings and the third was mounted in the tail.
They were very close in performance except for the TriStar's comparatively short landing capability. It can operate on an 8,000 ft. runway while the DC-10 requires more than 10,000 feet. Rolls-Royce RB211-500 turbofan engines, each rated at 48,000 lb. thrust, power the jumbo trijet.
During the mid-1960s when American Airlines was looking for a high-capacity aircraft to fly between Chicago and Los Angeles, its engineers outlined a two-engine aircraft. However, manufacturers conducted studies that showed a three-engine jet could grow in range and payload and would have superior high-altitude take-off characteristics and a shorter wingspan. Fewer limitations were seen on dispatch in bad weather. The twinjet then became a trijet on the issue of range.
When in a few years airlines began looking for additional range, Lockheed produced the L-1011-500 version, which added nearly 2,000 miles for a range of more than 5,000 miles. The aircraft was introduced in the early 1980s, the first commercial transport to use fly-by-wire technology for the activation of ailerons. But only 50 of the Series 500s were built.
A total of 249 TriStars were produced before Lockheed ended the program in 1983 and departed the commercial transport making business.
Delta's L-1011 fleet has been dwindling for several years and most recently was reduced to eight aircraft. The last TriStar is scheduled to arrive at Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, July 31, as Flight 1949 from Orlando.
A brief ceremony will mark that arrival followed by a farewell celebration at the Delta's hangar. Rolls-Royce and Lockheed Martin officials will make presentations. Delta employees will be asked to sign the exterior of the aircraft before sending it off to retirement in Victorville, Calif. The final flight will carry 300 Delta employees who pledged $23,000 to the United Way for the privilege of flying the last flight.
http://www.aviationnow.com/avnow/new...retire0727.xml
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Yes, we do seem to be seeing less and less L1011's which is a shame. I don't know what it is about them, but there is definately something that always turns my head when I see one at which ever airport I'm at. 
I've never actually been on one in flight, but always wanted to. Does anyone know if/where they currently fly between US airports on domestic flights? Especially Chicago area? I'm not a plane spotter or anything, but I frequently go away for long weekends away with friends, and if I could experience one before they have all gone, then that would be great.
I guess not many of the larger US airlines use them nowadays though.
I've never actually been on one in flight, but always wanted to. Does anyone know if/where they currently fly between US airports on domestic flights? Especially Chicago area? I'm not a plane spotter or anything, but I frequently go away for long weekends away with friends, and if I could experience one before they have all gone, then that would be great.
I guess not many of the larger US airlines use them nowadays though.
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These last Tristars to be retired from Delta are apparently dash two fifty series, which means they have the extra range and the more powerful RR 524 engines compared to the previous series.
The early Tristars were underpowered but it did not show up on takeoff or cruise but on climb between 20000 ft and 25000 ft the rate of climb dropped off badly, (ISA +10 or hotter was a killer performance wise)
I believe these last Delta Tristars are up for sale.
The early Tristars were underpowered but it did not show up on takeoff or cruise but on climb between 20000 ft and 25000 ft the rate of climb dropped off badly, (ISA +10 or hotter was a killer performance wise)
I believe these last Delta Tristars are up for sale.
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I was on that Tristar yesterday ATL-PBI so I guess I missed the last one by four days.
The Delta agent in LAX alerted me that that leg was operating the last of the 1011s hence I took a special look around inside.
Rather well 'broken in' for a Delta jet (I had forgotten all about the pneumatic audio which did not work at our row of seats) but it definitely did bring back memories of the '70s......
The Delta agent in LAX alerted me that that leg was operating the last of the 1011s hence I took a special look around inside.
Rather well 'broken in' for a Delta jet (I had forgotten all about the pneumatic audio which did not work at our row of seats) but it definitely did bring back memories of the '70s......
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I logged some 8k+ hours on the 1011 (100,200,500) and always felt as safe as in my bed at home.
Nothing out there since to name "flying machine"
Best enginnered aircraft ever.
Time to go to bed.
Nothing out there since to name "flying machine"
Best enginnered aircraft ever.
Time to go to bed.
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Have yet to meet an L10 guy who didn't sing it's praise. Way ahead of it's time in it's day but it's a small category at Delta and the extended fleet plan only calls for 777's, 75/6's, and 73's. Also cost and personnel reductions of the early 90's left the maintenance dept without the expertise on this tempermental old girl. Shame
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Nice plane.
Really is somewhat of a shame that both McD and Lockheed decided to respond to the AA call and come up with such similar planes (in terms of mission profile). Either one could have been very profitable, but with both competing for orders, both got hurt badly.
Really is somewhat of a shame that both McD and Lockheed decided to respond to the AA call and come up with such similar planes (in terms of mission profile). Either one could have been very profitable, but with both competing for orders, both got hurt badly.
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Just a few weeks ago flew to Orlando on a 777, back on a L1011. In with new out with the old.
As SLF, I was felt "safe" on a 1011. Also enjoyed watching the cabin crew push the drink carks "uphill".
As SLF, I was felt "safe" on a 1011. Also enjoyed watching the cabin crew push the drink carks "uphill".
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Delta had almost 50 L1011's in it's heyday and when they were due to retire the majority of them DL management actually approached Lockheed to see if it was possible to build 50 more,with up to date bells and whistles on them and better range so that they could replace the ageing ones.
Unfortunately the reply was that to make such a deal profitable Lockheed would have to build and sell atleast 300 Tristars...
Too bad...have flown in them and have yet to hear a bad word about them from anybody who has flown them....definately the end of an era.....
Unfortunately the reply was that to make such a deal profitable Lockheed would have to build and sell atleast 300 Tristars...
Too bad...have flown in them and have yet to hear a bad word about them from anybody who has flown them....definately the end of an era.....
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DeeTeeS ... that last message was for Potted Palm Bandit.
As a historical footnote, Lockheed built a total of 250 L1011s (one prototype, 199 'longbodies' and 50 of the shorter (but much better preformance) -500s. They lost a total of US$250m on it - just imagine, if they had increased the cost by only $2m per aircraft, it would have been a commercial success!
I was at LMSC a couple of weeks back, and noticed a couple of L1011-500 models in Qantas livery. Appatently, they were going to order a significant number but Lockheed shut down the line anyway ... if that deal had gone ahead, QF would probably now not be flying 767s and, who knows, Lockheed may still be in the airliner making business!
=======
FAREWELL TO THE L-1011. DL employees, retirees and guests will bid farewell to 28 years of L-1011 TriStar service when the last aircraft leaves the fleet July 31. Everyone is invited for one last look at DL’s final L-1011, ship 728, from 6-10 p.m. Tue., July 31, in Bay 10 at the TOC in Atlanta. This
milestone in aviation history will be commemorated by allowing DL people to sign the aircraft exterior for a $1 donation to Habitat for Humanity.
Commemorative posters will be on sale for $5 dollars, benefiting the Delta Heritage Museum, and Flight Station will have a selection of historic L-1011 merchandise. Posters are also available at the museum offices between Hangar One and Hangar Two at the G.O., and will be on sale during the
ceremony Tuesday night at the TOC.
Rolls-Royce has commissioned an original oil painting that will be presented to DL that night.
Gate ceremonies also will take place in Orlando when the last L-1011 revenue flight, 1949, departs at 2:15 p.m. EDT, and at ATL when it arrives at 3:45 p.m. EDT. The aircraft will depart for desert storage in California at 10 a.m. EDT Wed., Aug. 1, carrying more than 200 DL employees who bid for the privilege in an auction to benefit United Way.
Celebration Schedule:
July 31
11:35 a.m., DL349 departs ATL
12:59 p.m., arrive MCO
1:30-2 p.m., local MCO celebration and commemoration at terminal
2:15 p.m., DL 1949 departs MCO
Champagne will be served during the commemoration flight with Delta passengers.
3:45 p.m., arrive at ATL, retirement washdown
4:15 p.m., gatehouse activities for retiring L-1011 Captain Randall L. Schmoyer
4:45 p.m.-6 p.m., aircraft cabin cleaning, tow to TOC
6 p.m.-10 p.m., Ship 728 on display at TOC for Delta employees and retirees, Lockheed and Rolls Royce guests. For a one dollar donation to Habitat for Humanity, participants can sign the aircraft exterior.
Aug. 1
10 a.m. EDT – Depart ATL for Victorville
12 p.m. PDT – Celebration in Victorville for Delta and Southern California Aviation Co.
Link to the L-10 "Retirement Home" www.scaviation.com
Delta operated a total of 70 L-1011 aircraft in 28 years, although the maximum in service at one time peaked at 56 in 1991. Delta is the only major airline to operate all four variants of the L-1011 – the L1011-1, the L-1011-200, the L-1011-250 and the L-1011-500. The aircraft were powered with
Rolls-Royce RB211-22B and RB211-524B4 engines. Seating configurations varied from 241 for the L-1011-500 to 302 for the L-1011-1.
The first Delta TriStar rolled off the assembly line in Palmdale, Calif., Sept. 7, 1973.
First delivered on Oct. 3, 1973, Delta’s original L-1011s went into revenue service Nov. 15, 1973 with 39 passengers from Atlanta to Philadelphia (ship 702).
Two TWA L-1011s were leased temporarily in October 1977 to supplement Delta’s fleet of 21 TriStars.
The aircraft flew its first transoceanic Delta flight, Atlanta-London Gatwick, on April 30, 1978.
An L-1011 inaugurated Delta’s first transpacific service, Atlanta-Portland-Tokyo, on March 2, 1987.
Other notable inaugurals flown by Delta L-1011s include:
DFW-Honolulu, Dec. 14, 1984
Atlanta-Honolulu, June 1, 1985
Portland-Seoul, Dec. 15, 1987
Portland-Taipei, July 1, 1988
Portland-Bangkok, Dec. 15, 1989
The last new L-1011 was delivered to Delta in May, 1983 (Ship 741).
Ship 726 was lost in a weather related accident Aug. 2, 1985 at DFW.
In addition to new aircraft, Delta acquired L-1011s from Pan Am, United, Air Canada and Eastern from 1984-1991.
Delta’s last transoceanic L-1011 flight was Nov. 30, 1998, Vienna to Atlanta.
Delta’s last Hawaii service with L-1011s was March 31, 2001.
Delta flew L-1011s to a total of 79 domestic and international cities.
Delta’s last L-1011 scheduled commercial flight was flight 1949, Orlando-Atlanta, July 31, 2001
[ 30 July 2001: Message edited by: The Guvnor ]
As a historical footnote, Lockheed built a total of 250 L1011s (one prototype, 199 'longbodies' and 50 of the shorter (but much better preformance) -500s. They lost a total of US$250m on it - just imagine, if they had increased the cost by only $2m per aircraft, it would have been a commercial success!
I was at LMSC a couple of weeks back, and noticed a couple of L1011-500 models in Qantas livery. Appatently, they were going to order a significant number but Lockheed shut down the line anyway ... if that deal had gone ahead, QF would probably now not be flying 767s and, who knows, Lockheed may still be in the airliner making business!
=======
FAREWELL TO THE L-1011. DL employees, retirees and guests will bid farewell to 28 years of L-1011 TriStar service when the last aircraft leaves the fleet July 31. Everyone is invited for one last look at DL’s final L-1011, ship 728, from 6-10 p.m. Tue., July 31, in Bay 10 at the TOC in Atlanta. This
milestone in aviation history will be commemorated by allowing DL people to sign the aircraft exterior for a $1 donation to Habitat for Humanity.
Commemorative posters will be on sale for $5 dollars, benefiting the Delta Heritage Museum, and Flight Station will have a selection of historic L-1011 merchandise. Posters are also available at the museum offices between Hangar One and Hangar Two at the G.O., and will be on sale during the
ceremony Tuesday night at the TOC.
Rolls-Royce has commissioned an original oil painting that will be presented to DL that night.
Gate ceremonies also will take place in Orlando when the last L-1011 revenue flight, 1949, departs at 2:15 p.m. EDT, and at ATL when it arrives at 3:45 p.m. EDT. The aircraft will depart for desert storage in California at 10 a.m. EDT Wed., Aug. 1, carrying more than 200 DL employees who bid for the privilege in an auction to benefit United Way.
Celebration Schedule:
July 31
11:35 a.m., DL349 departs ATL
12:59 p.m., arrive MCO
1:30-2 p.m., local MCO celebration and commemoration at terminal
2:15 p.m., DL 1949 departs MCO
Champagne will be served during the commemoration flight with Delta passengers.
3:45 p.m., arrive at ATL, retirement washdown
4:15 p.m., gatehouse activities for retiring L-1011 Captain Randall L. Schmoyer
4:45 p.m.-6 p.m., aircraft cabin cleaning, tow to TOC
6 p.m.-10 p.m., Ship 728 on display at TOC for Delta employees and retirees, Lockheed and Rolls Royce guests. For a one dollar donation to Habitat for Humanity, participants can sign the aircraft exterior.
Aug. 1
10 a.m. EDT – Depart ATL for Victorville
12 p.m. PDT – Celebration in Victorville for Delta and Southern California Aviation Co.
Link to the L-10 "Retirement Home" www.scaviation.com
Delta operated a total of 70 L-1011 aircraft in 28 years, although the maximum in service at one time peaked at 56 in 1991. Delta is the only major airline to operate all four variants of the L-1011 – the L1011-1, the L-1011-200, the L-1011-250 and the L-1011-500. The aircraft were powered with
Rolls-Royce RB211-22B and RB211-524B4 engines. Seating configurations varied from 241 for the L-1011-500 to 302 for the L-1011-1.
The first Delta TriStar rolled off the assembly line in Palmdale, Calif., Sept. 7, 1973.
First delivered on Oct. 3, 1973, Delta’s original L-1011s went into revenue service Nov. 15, 1973 with 39 passengers from Atlanta to Philadelphia (ship 702).
Two TWA L-1011s were leased temporarily in October 1977 to supplement Delta’s fleet of 21 TriStars.
The aircraft flew its first transoceanic Delta flight, Atlanta-London Gatwick, on April 30, 1978.
An L-1011 inaugurated Delta’s first transpacific service, Atlanta-Portland-Tokyo, on March 2, 1987.
Other notable inaugurals flown by Delta L-1011s include:
DFW-Honolulu, Dec. 14, 1984
Atlanta-Honolulu, June 1, 1985
Portland-Seoul, Dec. 15, 1987
Portland-Taipei, July 1, 1988
Portland-Bangkok, Dec. 15, 1989
The last new L-1011 was delivered to Delta in May, 1983 (Ship 741).
Ship 726 was lost in a weather related accident Aug. 2, 1985 at DFW.
In addition to new aircraft, Delta acquired L-1011s from Pan Am, United, Air Canada and Eastern from 1984-1991.
Delta’s last transoceanic L-1011 flight was Nov. 30, 1998, Vienna to Atlanta.
Delta’s last Hawaii service with L-1011s was March 31, 2001.
Delta flew L-1011s to a total of 79 domestic and international cities.
Delta’s last L-1011 scheduled commercial flight was flight 1949, Orlando-Atlanta, July 31, 2001
[ 30 July 2001: Message edited by: The Guvnor ]
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Guvnor,
Thanks for the interesting L10 history at Delta.
After rereading my message I see that I could have been a little more explanatory in that I had seen your posts involving the 1011 and I thought you would be interested that in paying particular attention to checking the N Registration, I determined that I actually was riding the last survivor!
Thanks for the interesting L10 history at Delta.
After rereading my message I see that I could have been a little more explanatory in that I had seen your posts involving the 1011 and I thought you would be interested that in paying particular attention to checking the N Registration, I determined that I actually was riding the last survivor!
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Fascinating airliner.
I was always in awe of its design,and as a child prized my poster of an Eastern L1011 taking off- a magnificent sight.
It was almost as though as if it was designed to look so entirely different ,and yet do it's job so well.
Have flown on various- British Airtours,Gulf,
Delta,Caledonian - even Iberia 2Yrs ago ex LPA,- sub!
Just love that unique S-bend engine design ,and of course that gorgeous groan it gives on start-up,can be heard neighbourhoods away at LGW.
Glad to see so many carriers still using her, long may she haul her beautiful figure through our skies....
Pure chrome gorgeousness alert.. :-
http://www.airliners.net Search : Tristar ,Eastern !
[ 30 July 2001: Message edited by: Anti-ice ]
I was always in awe of its design,and as a child prized my poster of an Eastern L1011 taking off- a magnificent sight.
It was almost as though as if it was designed to look so entirely different ,and yet do it's job so well.
Have flown on various- British Airtours,Gulf,
Delta,Caledonian - even Iberia 2Yrs ago ex LPA,- sub!
Just love that unique S-bend engine design ,and of course that gorgeous groan it gives on start-up,can be heard neighbourhoods away at LGW.
Glad to see so many carriers still using her, long may she haul her beautiful figure through our skies....
Pure chrome gorgeousness alert.. :-
http://www.airliners.net Search : Tristar ,Eastern !
[ 30 July 2001: Message edited by: Anti-ice ]
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As a Delta Pilot/Flight Engineer, and just off the L-1011, I am saddened to se the Queen of any fleet retired. She was/is indeed a grand airplane. As we said at Delta "The end of aN3 era." Bye, Bye 728, we have flown many legs together...